RIDE Shakedown | Matts Kulisek strikes again!

The RIDE Shakedown was well received by almost to 5’000 excited fans, who were up to enjoy a cool contest on a bluebird day.

It was anyone’s game in the Semi-Final with riders such as Manuel Diaz (CHI), Zachary Stone (CAN) and Tyler Flanagan (USA) in attendance. In all, the 34 riders pushed their limits in an effort to earn one of 10 spots for this exciting final round. The final round proved to be a neck-on-neck thing between Matts Kulisek (CAN) and Yuki Kadono (JAP). In his third run, Matts Kulisek put down a huge  FS1260 on the kicker, followed by a SW 50/50 on the kink rail, earning him the highest score of the day and the first spot on the podium. Kulisek, who got 2nd spot on last weekend’s RIDE Shakedown night’s Rail Jam in Germany, took home 15’000 USD, as the winner of this US RIDE Shakedown for the second consecutive year.

“I’m pretty tired,” he announced, “but I’m really stoked! It’s just amazing; it’s the best weekend, my friend Jeremy got first in rail jam and I got first main event! We drove down together and we’re leaving (with thicker pockets).”

Japanese RiIDE team rider, Yuki Kadono landed a Cab 1260, followed by a Boardslide to fakie on the down rail, earning him the 2nd place and 8’000 USD. In light of the recent devastation in Japan, Kadono will be donating half of his winnings, to the Red Cross in order to help with rescue efforts.

RIDE Snowboards equally contributed, they collected 1’300 USD in donations during the event and matched the amount, raising the contribution to 2’600 USD. Tyler Flanagan picked up the third podium spot and 4’000 USD for his Cab 900 and FS Boardslide on the kink rail.

Overall, it was a huge event, including everything. High trick level riding, bluebird weather and some fresh powder covering Snoqualmie overnight. For those, who missed the event, can tune in to ROOT SPORTS on April 2, at 17:00h, when the highlights of the US RIDE Shakedown will be broadcasted.

In two weeks, the RIDE Shakedown will return to its native Mont Saint-Sauveur in Canada to celebrate the 10th anniversary with a special edition. Founder of the RIDE Shakedown, Patryck Bernier and Brendan O’Dowd, said they are happy with the way the event has grown in Washington.

“In the past two years we’ve gotten so much positive feedback. The crowd came out to cheer on the riders on both Friday and Saturday, both days combined, some 5’000 people were at the RIDE Shakedown, what a show they got! The riding was excellent, the weather was beautiful; we couldn’t be more pleased.”

| RIDE Shakedown |